It's almost Miss Universe 2016 pre-pageant time! The activities for the candidates start on January 15, but as early as last weekend, some candidates have already began arriving on Philippine shores.
The first one to get here? Miss US Virgin Islands Carolyn Carter, who arrived on January 7, and is visiting the country for the third time. “It feels like I’m coming home,” she said.
Carter striking a pose for a collaboration shoot with designer Leo Almodal.
Aside from having a high fashion photo shoot and a menu tasting for the Governor's ball, Carter joined doctors of Smile Train to visit the Philippine Band of Mercy in East Avenue, Quezon City today, where she witnessed doctors operate on children with cleft palate.
“Wow, these incredible doctors perform 6,500 surgeries a year here in the Philippines!” she said in her post.
Next to arrive was Miss Guyana Soyini Fraser, who landed on January 8. Aside from scoring a selfie with Carter, Fraser also joined Carter during the menu tasting for the Governor's Ball.
Also, she’s appreciating the country’s weather, and went for a morning run before touring around Manila with Guyana Honorary Consul Joseph D'Oliveira.
“Love how the sun compliments my skin tone,” Fraser said in her post.
After Carter and Fraser, Miss Brazil Raissa Santana and Miss Sierra Leone Hawa Kamara arrived on January 10, and both of them are already appreciating the hospitality of Filipinos. Kamara also met with designer Jian Lasala, who is Kamara’s official evening gown designer, during her arrival.
Kamara with Lasala.
Kamara spent her first day in the Philippines with Sashfactor for a photoshoot. Sierra Leone's first candidate for the Miss Universe pageant, Kamara, is definitely slaying it.
Spell F-I-E-R-C-E.
Santana, on the other hand, is sweating it out:
Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane arrived on January 10, and posted her Barong Tagalog (designed by Joe Surface) OOTD upon arrival. Tres, tres chic!
And this beauty came fully prepared, with 17 pieces of hard case luggage, prompting everyone to be in awe of whoever is backing the Miss Universe Thailand organization.
ALSO READ: In Focus: What You Need To Know About The Life Of A Fashion Blogger
Photographs from Instagram.com/carolyncarter, Instagram.com/soyinitheking/, Instagram.com/miss_universe_sierra_leone2016, Instagram.com/santana_raissa, Instagram.com/namtanlitaa, and Facebook.com/mara0chua